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Filipino radio journalist gunned down

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-03 15:14

MANILA, Philippines -- A radio commentator was shot dead as he was leaving work, becoming the eighth journalist killed in the Philippines this year, police said Wednesday.

Leo Mila, 38, of Radio Natin in San Roque township in Northern Samar province, was heading to the gate of the station's compound on his motorcycle when shots rang out late Tuesday, police and colleagues said.

Authorities found his bullet-riddled body sprawled in a grassy area near the toppled motorbike, said police investigator Amer Lagrimas.

Police have no immediate suspects and no witnesses have come forward, he said.

Station manager Alice Cagro told The Associated Press that Mila recently discussed alleged anomalies involving money collected from students' parents in a local school.

Lagrimas said two teachers from the high school will be questioned.

Cagro said Mila's early morning program was devoted to public service, mainly discussing citizen complaints sent by text message. He also wrote reports for various tabloids in his province and recently published a local magazine, An Peryodista.

Cagro is survived by his wife, 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

Attacks on reporters exposing graft and wrongdoing are frequent in the Philippines, especially in far-flung provinces. At least seven others were killed this year, including another Radio Natin commentator, Arecio Padrigao, who was fatally shot on November 17.

More than 60 journalists have been killed since 2001, making the Philippines one of the world's most dangerous places for reporters.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has criticized the government for moving too slowly to solve the cases. Philippine officials complain investigations are often hampered by witnesses who are reluctant to come forward for fear of retribution.